News

Building Collapse: Experts Advocates Punishment Law For Defaulters

Published

1 year ago

July 19, 2024

Prof. Samson Duna, the Director General of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) Abuja, has called for the enactment and enforcement of a law to punish anybody that violates the building code in Nigeria.

Duna, who stated this in a public lecture at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi on Friday, said this would serve as a deterrent to anybody found wanting.

“Since the history of building collapse, we have never had a case where somebody was punished by being taken to court or jailed for being responsible.

“We are calling on the National Assembly to enact a law so that anybody that is found wanting as far as carelessness is concerned, man-made error somewhere, the person should be punished, face the music and this will serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.

Duna, also the Chief Executive Officer NIBRRI, advocated for the establishment of rapid response teams across the 36 states and FCT to swiftly respond to any form of building collapse and save lives on time.

He said, “we are agitating that each state government should establish a response team, buy facility excavators, keep them, train people just as if you are going to war.

“This is necessary so that anytime a building collapse occurs, you are there as a rapid response team and not when a building collapses you start begging people to bring equipment.

“No equipment for excavation and we know that these buildings will continue to fail. We are not praying for anything like that to happen in Bauchi state, but if it does, do we have an excavator nearby?

“Do you have people trained to do something nearby and that’s why I’m calling authorities like the state governments to establish a Rapid Response Team to cater for unforseen circumstances like building collapse”.

In order to prevent building collapse in the country, Duna advocated that structural integrity assessment should be carried out for all existing structures built over a period of 15 years with emphasis on areas or locations that have experienced bomb blast.

He advised that all stakeholders in the construction industry should adhere strictly to the provisions of the building code, adding that construction of buildings must be carried out in accordance with design specifications.

According to him, regulatory professional bodies should regularly organise workshops for stakeholders in the building industry to update their knowledge as well as regular public enlightenment and sensitisation campaigns for the people.

Also speaking, the Acting Vice Chancellor, ATBU, Bauchi, Prof. Sani Kunya, said it was important to look at various variables that bothered on abuse of building standards and building procedures.

He said it was also necessary to look at the outright official corruption to grant official permission to substandard and clearly dangerous structures as well as tempering with the approved original plans and structures of buildings.

The topic of the lecture is Building Collapse in Nigeria: A Preventable Human Infliction.

News

Christian Genocide: Regha Reveals Why Trump Called Nigeria ‘Disgraced Country’

Published

5 hours ago

November 2, 2025

Editor

Popular social media commentator, Daniel Regha has suggested why the US President Donald Trump called Nigeria a “disgraceful country”.

Recalls that Trump had, in a statement on Saturday, warned that if the Nigerian government failed to tackle the alleged genocide against Christians, the US would “immediately stop all aid and assistance to the West African country.

The US leader also warned that his nation may very well go into Nigeria, which he labelled “that now disgraced country”, to wipe out the terrorists allegedly perpetrating the religious persecution.

Reacting, Regha, in a post on his official X account on Sunday, claimed that Nigeria is a “disgraced country” today as a result of bad leadership from all regions.

According to him, corruption is found in every state, and all ethnicities are involved.

“Nigeria is a “Disgraced country” today as a result of bad leadership from all regions. Corruption is found in every state and local govt; And all ethnicities are involved,” Regha wrote.

“From Hausa to Igbo to Yoruba to Urhobo, and others. Past administrations failed, and Tinubu’s administration is failing cos the leaders who are representing different tribes and constituencies aren’t speaking up.

“State govts are equally acting nonchalantly by not solving regional problems, but instead playing politics. Before u shift the blame, remember that the State House of Assembly has your people in there, and State governance is by indigene.”

News

Kwankwaso Sends Message To Trump After US Invasion Threat

Published

5 hours ago

November 2, 2025

Editor

The leader of Kwankwasiyya and former Presidential candidate, Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso has expressed concern over recent comments by US President, Donald Trump about Nigeria.
President Donald Trump had described the country as a country of particular concern.

Kwankwaso who took to his Facebook page on Sunday wrote: “I have noted with increasing concern the heightened pronouncements on Nigeria by President Donald Trump. This follows his designation of Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern.’”

He stressed that Nigeria remains a sovereign nation facing security challenges caused by outlaws, not by religion or ethnicity.

“The insecurity we face does not distinguish based on religious, ethnic, or political beliefs,” he said.

Kwankwaso urged the United States to support Nigeria with modern technology to fight insecurity instead of issuing threats.

“The United States should assist the Nigerian authorities with better cutting-edge technology to tackle these problems, rather than posing a threat that could further polarise our country,” he added.

He also called on the Nigerian government to engage with the US diplomatically.

“The Nigerian government should also consider appointing special envoys from its distinguished diplomats to engage the American government. Additionally, it is necessary to appoint permanent ambassadors to represent Nigeria’s interests on the international stage,” he said.

Senator Kwankwaso appealed to Nigerians to remain united, saying, “To my fellow countrymen, this is an important moment where we should emphasise unity of belonging over division. God bless Nigeria.”

News

5 Pro Tips On How To Become A Good Writer

Published

11 hours ago

November 2, 2025

Editor

Writing is one skill that cuts across every profession. Whether you are in civil service, journalism, business, or even tech, you can’t escape the need to write.

Contents
1. Write, Write, Write!
2. Embrace Writing Tools
3. Learn from Experts
4. Read voraciously
5. Get Feedback, Don’t Fear Criticism

From emails to reports, social media posts to full-length books, your ability to communicate clearly can set you apart.

Writing is not a talent reserved for a few gifted people; it’s a skill like any other that can be learnt, practiced, and mastered over time.

In this article, Tribune Online takes a look at five ways to become a better writer :

1. Write, Write, Write!

The best way to become a better writer is simply to write more. It sounds obvious, but many people spend more time worrying about writing than actually doing it.

Don’t just wait for the right moment, create it. Set aside time daily or weekly to write, even if it’s just a page.

Keep a journal, write short stories, or start a blog. Even a few paragraphs a day make a huge difference. Consistent writing helps you find your voice and refine it with time.

2. Embrace Writing Tools

Technology has made it easier to polish your writing. From grammar checkers to distraction-free apps, these tools reduce errors and improve flow.

Tools like Grammarly, ProWritingAid, or Quillbot can help tidy up your sentences. Apps like Scrivener or Ulysses can keep longer projects organised.

3. Learn from Experts

No one becomes a master alone. Signing up for writing courses, webinars, or workshops connects you to experts who can sharpen your craft.

Online platforms now offer lessons in copywriting, creative writing, grammar, storytelling, and editing.

4. Read voraciously

Great writers are voracious readers. Reading fuels your creativity, sharpens your vocabulary, and exposes you to different writing styles.

If there’s a specific area of writing you want to specialise in, study the works of experienced writers in that field. Read their books, articles, and resources, and learn from their style and approach. When you engage with the works of others, you tend to easily gain insight into effective techniques and common pitfalls to avoid. And don’t restrict yourself to a particular niche; expand your reading to different authors, cultures, and genres.

5. Get Feedback, Don’t Fear Criticism

One of the fastest ways to grow as a writer is to regularly seek feedback. No matter the kind of writing you do, having others review your work helps you see how your words are received beyond your own perspective.

Share your drafts with trusted friends, colleagues, mentors, or even family members. Their proofreading, corrections, and honest criticism can point out blind spots and give you fresh ideas for improvement.
(TRIBUNE)